Yogis tell me that weightlifting hinders one’s practice because it is aggressive and decreases flexibility. Other teachers scoff at me for not being a “purist.” Students assume that I teach power yoga because I wear athletic clothing, work as a personal trainer and own a gym.

On the other hand, weightlifters tell me that yoga is for women. Men decline to train with me because they say that a yogi could not push them as hard. Other trainers agree that I attract mainly female clients because I am also a yoga teacher.

I used to believe them. Not only did I separate yoga and weightlifting, but I also ranked them. I stopped lifting weights for several years because I deemed it less sacred than my yoga practice. I even argued with my father that yoga was better than weightlifting.